where Count Seeau also was.  She sang two arias of mine, and was so fortunate as to please, in spite of those Italian scoundrels [the singers of Munich], those infamous charlatans, who circulated a report that she had very much gone off in her singing.  When her songs were finished, Cannabich said to her, “Mademoiselle, I hope you will always continue to fall off in this manner; tomorrow I will write to M. Mozart in your praise.”  One thing is certain; if war had not already broken out, the court would by this time have been transferred to Munich.  Count Seeau, who is quite determined to engage Madlle.  Weber, would have left nothing undone to insure her coming to Munich, so that there was some hope that the family might have been placed in better circumstances; but now that all is again quiet about the Munich journey, these poor people may have to wait a long time, while their debts daily accumulate.  If I could only help them!  Dearest father, I recommend them to you from my heart.  If they could even for a few years be in possession of 1000 florins!

111.

To Herr Bullinger.

Paris, August 7, 1778.

My very dear friend,—­

Allow me above all to thank you most warmly for the proof of friendship you gave me by your interest in my dear father—­first in preparing, and then kindly consoling him for his loss [see No. 106].  You played your part admirably.  These are my father’s own words.  My kind friend, how can I sufficiently thank you?  You saved my father for me.  I have you to thank that I still have him.  Permit me to say no more on the subject, and not to attempt to express my gratitude, for I feel too weak and incompetent to do so.  My best friend, I am forever your debtor; but patience!  It is too true that I am not yet in a position to repay what I owe you, but rely on it God will one day grant me the opportunity of showing by deeds what I am unable to express by words.  Such is my hope; till that happy time, however, arrives, allow me to beg you to continue your precious and valued friendship to me, and also to accept mine afresh, now and forever; to which I pledge myself in all sincerity of heart.  It will not, indeed, be of much use to you, but not on that account less sincere and lasting.  You know well that the best and truest of all friends are the poor.  The rich know nothing of friendship, especially those who are born to riches, and even those whom fate enriches often become very different when fortunate in life.  But when a man is placed in favorable circumstances, not by blind, but reasonable good fortune and merit, who during his early and less prosperous days never lost courage, remaining faithful to his religion and his God, striving to be an honest man and good Christian, knowing how to value his true friends,—­in short, one who really deserves better fortune,—­from such a man no ingratitude is to be feared.